Gezicht op de Tiber bij Tivoli 1553 - 1558

Johannes and Lucas van Doetechum created this landscape view of the Tiber near Tivoli using etching. At first glance, the detailed landscape might seem like an objective record of the Italian countryside, but the print is laden with cultural and social implications. Landscapes like these became popular during a time of increased European exploration and colonization. This image presents a vision of nature tamed and ready to be appreciated by a cultivated European viewer. The picturesque view flattens any real-world social complexities. Look at how the dramatic rocks and cascading water create a sense of awe. The artist invites viewers to imagine themselves within the scene. This romanticized experience stands in contrast to the realities of the people who lived and worked in these landscapes. The print encourages us to consider how representations of nature can reflect particular power dynamics.